Lucas Valley 'scenic highway' plan rejected by county

An effort to curb development along Lucas Valley Road by declaring the route a "scenic highway" collided with officials at the Civic Center on Tuesday as county supervisors flashed a red light.

The scenic designation, boosted by a group shepherded by activist Carolyn Lenert of Terra Linda, is "not warranted now or in the near future," said board president Judy Arnold, summarizing the unanimous view of board members.

County planning staff, already loaded with other priorities involving open space, wetlands, agricultural preservation, housing and community plans, called additional workload required before the state would approve the designation an undue burden — especially since strict county policies already regulate roadside vista changes.

Supervisor Kate Sears, calling the roadway "fabulous," observed that "existing zoning regulations address all of the benefits" that a scenic designation might provide and asserted that top planning priorities "should not be overlooked." The Community Development Agency's "performance plan is just packed," added Supervisor Katie Rice.

Supervisor Steve Kinsey, saying a scenic designation could "put a target on the road," said that from the perspective of cost and benefit, the label would provide "no additional benefit." He characterized the proposal as "an effort by those last in to pull the cords of the drawbridge."

Supervisor Susan Adams said the proposal "requires more staff work than we have in our capacity right now" and should be punted "to a future work plan because I do think there is community interest in this." There is nothing indicating "this must be a rushed project right now," she added.

Adams also took issue with an animated Lenert, who sat in the audience nodding her head in agreement or disagreement with statements made by others. "Ms. Lenert is shaking her head and she doesn't feel there is any downside," Adams noted, indicating her long tenure as an elected official on the county board gave her a better overview of priorities.

Lenert, a key critic of George Lucas' film studio plan for his Grady Ranch property off Lucas Valley Road, noted she has worn many hats on a variety of populist campaigns, and described the scenic campaign as promotion of "the health and safety of the community." She claimed support from 2,900 residents.

Lenert dubbed the scenic highway program as the "George Lucas Scenic Corridor Plan" and called it a "unique opportunity" to recognize a filmmaker who has dedicated thousands of acres as open space.

She also rejected assertions the plan might increase tourist traffic, said it could open the door for grant funding and increase property values as well as provide other benefits in addition to preserving the vista.

"This is not burdensome," she said, adding much data collection and related work already has been done. "We're standing by to volunteer ... to get this done."

To apply to the state for the designation, a proposal must be submitted along with a "corridor protection program" outlining steps to preserve vistas and other attributes to ensure development is compatible with the environment. The program must include "zoning, ordinances and/or planning policies."

Thus, a county planning study of the corridor could result in tightening policies regulating projects, including any housing planned for Grady Ranch, where filmmaker Lucas is now working with the Marin Community Foundation to study merits of a low-income housing complex.

Eight speakers backed Lenert, with most saying the plan made a lot of sense.

"I don't think anyone wants to see some kind of castle on the hill," said Joy Dahlgren of Lucas Valley. "No one wants to see some sort of public housing development."

Dale Miller of Lucas Valley urged caution, saying the designation could boost traffic and impede home improvement projects. "We need to take advantage of the county restrictions in place already," he said.

Supervisor Sears, in an unusual expression of dismay, said she was "very concerned about the presumption of several speakers that public housing is ugly" and added, "I encourage you of that mindset to think a little more broadly."

County planners said they have more important things to do than pursue a scenic highway designation and asserted getting the state to declare Lucas Valley Road a "scenic highway" is not a top priority.

"The scenic highway program is not scheduled in the agency's performance plan for the existing or following fiscal year," said Tom Lai, assistant director of the county Community Development Agency, who read a report he issued last week. He noted that if the board wants to explore the idea, planning priorities must be shuffled or deferred.